West Region Four-Cast: Predictions on where top recruits are headed
The 2017 recruiting cycle is nearing the stretch run, and there have been notable developments with several top recruits. Rivals sizes up the recruiting situations for several of the West’s best below.
REGIONAL FOUR-CASTS: Mid-Atlantic | Southeast | Midwest
The situation: There have been some conflicting reports as to where Sarell will visit in the coming months, but here’s what we now know: He has already taken an unofficial to Stanford, he will be at the Stanford-Washington game Friday night and an official visit to Notre Dame is still planned for, yes, the Stanford game. A trip to Alabama is also possible, but nothing has been finalized.
The frontrunner: Stanford
Sarell has been a premium target for Stanford’s coaching staff for a long time and the five-star has given no indication that the feeling isn’t mutual. He has visited the school, will see the Cardinal on the road multiple times and it just seems like Stanford is still the team to beat here. The Cardinal run the ball so often and showcase their offensive tackles so this makes a lot of sense.
The other option: Notre Dame
The five-star prospect visited South Bend on his own dime this summer and it’s a great sign for the Irish that he’s going to return for a game weekend. The environment should be amplified even more so if Sarell falls in love with Notre Dame and all the history and tradition he’ll see, then the Irish could make a big move.
But don’t count out: Washington, Nebraska
Sarell has already visited Nebraska and had an excellent trip to Lincoln so that might be used as a gauge for his other trips and how those go. Washington should remain a serious contender in his recruitment since it’s so close and especially because the Huskies are playing so well.
The situation: Johnson has basically figured out his official visit schedule and it will start soon when he visits Nebraska for the Illinois game. Then the Fresno Central standout will head to Utah and Oklahoma. He wants to visit Arizona State as well and a trip to USC is being figured out. Those five schools are the main contenders in Johnson’s recruitment now.
The frontrunner: Oklahoma
Johnson has worked and reworked his favorites a few times so there is no telling where his recruitment is headed through the fall but the Sooners have done a fantastic job recruiting the Fresno area in recent years and Johnson heading to Norman does make a lot of sense. Oklahoma went into Fresno in the 2016 recruiting class and landed five-star linebacker Caleb Kelly. Johnson could be the next in line.
The other option: USC
Johnson has expressed a lot of interest in the Trojans over the last few months and that should continue, especially if he takes an official visit there. The four-star is focused on numerous Pac-12 schools and USC would be the closest. Plus, there could be an opening for some early playing time.
But don’t count out: Nebraska, Utah, Arizona State
Johnson’s mind could be completely changed once he starts taking visits. There is little doubt that he’s going to have an excellent time once he visits Nebraska since it’s one of the best game-day environments in college football. Those two Pac-12 trips could sway his decisions as well. Johnson is really in the early stages of his recruitment since he hasn’t taken any visits yet.
The situation: The four-star cornerback has now taken official visits to Nebraska and Notre Dame. After the ND trip, Graham’s father said it was the best visit, hands down, that the family has taken and Graham’s mother apparently enjoyed herself in South Bend as well. Other trips coming up will be to Oregon, Arizona and he’s expected to possibly visit ASU as well, along with at least one local trip to UCLA.
The frontrunner: Notre Dame
This one is really close but Graham supposedly had an excellent visit to Notre Dame as did his family and the Irish could be moving up in his recruitment. It doesn’t help that defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was fired after the visit, but the opportunity to play early is there, the education is excellent and Graham’s family loves the prospects of that Notre Dame degree.
The other option: Arizona
Arizona is right there as well. Graham could still play in the Pac-12, remain pretty close to home but far enough away that he has the college experience and he has developed a great relationship with position coach Donte Williams, one of the best recruiters in the conference. If that trip to Tucson goes really well, the Wildcats could remain right in the mix for his pledge.
But don’t count out: Oregon, UCLA, Nebraska, Arizona State
There are still a bunch of schools remaining for Graham, although the former USC commit said the Trojans are pretty much out of it. A visit to Oregon is coming up and that could propel the Ducks way up in his recruitment, especially with Rancho Cucamonga teammate Jaylon Redd committed there. UCLA is absolutely a major consideration and if he visits Arizona State then it could move up. His Nebraska visit was super impressive, too, so that is a strong possibility.
The situation: Pola-Mao is really starting to focus on the schools recruiting him the hardest and many of them reside in the Pac-12. The four-star athlete, who could play safety, linebacker or receiver in college, has already taken an official visit to Washington. Arizona State, Notre Dame, USC and Cal are the other stops Pola-Mao wants to make before reaching a decision.
The frontrunner: Arizona State
The Sun Devils have not locked this up, not by a long shot, but the way they’re playing so far this season plus the closeness to home could play a major role in Pola-Mao’s thinking as his recruitment winds through his senior season. He and his brother, Matthew Pola-Mao, a 2019 prospect, want to play together and it makes a lot of sense if they stay closer to home.
The other option: Washington
Pola-Mao loved his visit to Seattle in recent weeks, loves the idea of playing in Washington’s secondary – which he has called one of the best nationally – and there are many signs pointing to the Huskies here. If location and proximity to home becomes less of a factor, Washington could win out for his services.
But don’t count out: Notre Dame, USC, Cal
USC has been a favorite of Pola-Mao’s for a long time and he recently took an unofficial visit there with his brother. The four-star is planning to return for an official visit and that could sway things. So could a trip to Notre Dame, since Pola-Mao has been so highly interested in seeing that environment for a long time.
